Victor Ortiz finds himself in the unusual position of being able to really rely on his promoter’s input as he gets ready for the biggest fight of his career.

Oscar De La Hoya, whose Golden Boy Promotions represents Ortiz, fought Floyd Mayweather Jr. just four years ago. Though De La Hoya, who lost a split decision to Mayweather in May 2007, is right-handed and Ortiz is a southpaw, De La Hoya has shared plenty of first-hand knowledge with Ortiz (29-2-2, 22 KOs) during his preparation for his Sept. 17 fight against Mayweather (41-0, 25 KOs) in Las Vegas.

“We have talked,” De La Hoya said. “I can give Victor tips or advice, whatever you want to call it. He does have an amazing team behind him, his trainer and the people who come up with the strategies.

“Obviously, I have been in there with Floyd Mayweather Jr., and I know what works for him and I know what doesn’t work for him. But Victor’s a smart guy, and obviously when he’s up in that ring he’s going to do what he has to do to win this fight. Let’s just put it this way: there’s no doubt in my mind that Victor’s going to win.”

Ortiz values the opinion of a legendary fighter he admired growing up.

“Oscar and I have a great relationship,” said Ortiz. “It goes beyond friends, or the way I feel anyway. It’s more like I see him as a big brother. Anything he’s got to say, I’m open to listen to.

“But at the end of the day, we’ve both got to know and realize that, hey, I’m in camp, I have a great team and I have to be under their command. … Whatever they say goes, but I am open to hearing whatever my man Oscar has to say. I love Oscar like a big brother, and I will always listen.”

Keith Idec covers boxing for The Record and Herald News, of Woodland Park, NJ., and BoxingScene.com.

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